CHAPTER FOURTEEN

C HAPTER F OURTEEN

M rs. Taunton led Oriana into a cozy parlor and ordered tea to be brought. Once they had their cups, she asked, “Now then, my dear, what can I do for you?”

Oriana twisted her cup around in the saucer. Where to begin? “I do not know if anyone can help me.”

The vicar’s wife placed a biscuit on Oriana’s plate and took a sip of tea. “Does it have something to do with Lord Stanwood?”

She bit into the rich buttery shortcake biscuit. “Yes. He wants to court me.”

The other woman nodded encouragingly for her to continue. “And how do you feel about that?”

“That is just it. I do not know. I had decided never to wed. After all, my aunt has been perfectly happy never marrying. But every time he touches me . . .” Oh dear. That did not sound right. “I mean, when he hands me into a carriage or anything like that, I get these strange feelings, and they are only becoming worse.”

“Hmm.” Mrs. Taunton tilted her head and gazed at Oriana, making her want to squirm.

“Perhaps I should not have said anything.” She put the rest of the biscuit in her mouth. That would keep her quiet.

“Not at all.” Mrs. Taunton leaned over and patted Oriana’s hand. “I was simply remembering when Robert and I first met. Every time he touched me, even through my gloves, I tingled. Is that what you are experiencing?”

It was nothing to be concerned about. Oriana released a breath. “Then this is normal with all men?”

Mrs. Taunton gave her a gentle but slightly sad smile. “No, my dear. I am sorry to tell you, it is only with a particular gentleman. One to whom you are attracted.”

That was not good. “Then what am I to do?”

“You might allow him to court you. After all, there are worse things than being married to a gentleman such as his lordship.”

This was not going well. Oriana tried to keep her despair, almost panic, from her tone. “But I had already decided not to wed.”

“I do understand making an important decision and then having to consider changing it.” The vicar’s wife tilted her head to the other side and drew her brows slightly together. “I had already determined to marry a gentleman of whom my father approved when I met Robert. Fortunately I had not announced my decision to anyone. Once I experienced those feelings I knew I could not wed another.” She placed another biscuit on Oriana’s plate. “Who will inherit Rose Hill if you do not have children?”

“I do not know.” With all the thought she had given to her estate, that was the one thing she had not considered. Which was immensely stupid. Did she think she was going to live forever? No one did. “Quite frankly. I have never given it any thought.”

“Very understandable.” Mrs. Taunton nodded. “Gentlemen are raised to think of heirs. We ladies are not. At least not for our own property. You might consider the reason your grandmother left the house to you and not your aunt.”

“Because she knew Aunt would not have children. Whereas I was young enough to marry and produce an heir.” Oriana had never asked why Grandmamma had left her the estate. However, it had been made clear from things Grandmamma had said.

“Would you not prefer that your home go to a child of yours?”

“Ideally. Yes. I suppose I could adopt a child.” Oriana did not think the property had to go to heirs of her body. Then again, she had not actually read the will. That was something she should do.

“You could, of course, adopt.” Mrs. Taunton nodded. “But if you find that you and Lord Stanwood are compatible, you could reconsider your decision on marriage.”

“I do not know if I can.” Oriana finished her now-cold cup of tea. The thought of putting her life into a man’s hands was terrifying. “None of the gentlemen I have ever known were trustworthy.”

“That is a problem.” Mrs. Taunton poured Oriana another cup of tea. “Does Lord Stanwood remind you of them?”

“No.” The word seemed to have erupted from her without any thought at all. She took a sip of tea. “He does not. At least not what I have seen of him.”

Mrs. Taunton glanced at the door. “My husband and his lordship will arrive any moment to join us. Allow me to suggest that you come to know him better. Then you will be able to make a sound decision.”

“That would mean spending more time with him.” And feeling things she was not used to.

“It would.” The vicar’s wife smiled gently. “But that might not be such a bad thing.”

The door opened and shut, male voices filled the house, and Oriana found herself wanting to see him. “I am not certain about that.”

Fresh tea, biscuits, and other foodstuffs were carried in and placed on the low table. The vicar sat next to his wife and kissed her cheek. “This looks excellent, my love.”

“Thank you.” She took his hand and held it.

Stanwood sat next to Oriana. “I hope you had a nice chat. I will be receiving a list of things that need to be done. Would you like me to make a copy for you? Then we can decide who will take which task.”

He truly did treat her like an equal landlord. But would he behave the same in a marriage? “Yes, I think that will work well.”

He accepted a plate from Mr. Taunton. “Did you tell Mrs. Taunton about Will’s plan to propose?”

“Um. Not yet. I thought I would wait until you arrived. After all, you are the one who spoke with him.” That was a lie. Oriana had completely forgotten about it.

The smile Stanwood gave her warmed her even when she did not want it to. “I’m glad you waited.” He glanced at the Tauntons. “Will Hammersmith is planning to propose to Sally Scully at the market in Stanwood tomorrow.”

Mrs. Taunton pressed her lips together as if she was thinking. “In that case, but without telling anyone what is going to occur, we must make sure that Liliford has a good showing at the market.” She glanced at Oriana. “Perhaps the two of us can encourage people to attend. This market is one of the largest of the year. It should not be too difficult.”

“Do you mind if I help with that?” Stanwood asked. “I was told there will be some vendors from France and Belgium attending.”

“That should mean more choices of fabrics,” Mrs. Taunton said. “Something that will get the ladies there.”

“And a puppet show,” he added. “For the families. I could also arrange transport. To the market and back for those who require assistance.”

“That is a wonderful idea.” Despite her misgivings about the idea of courtship and gentlemen in general, Oriana was becoming more and more impressed with Stanwood.

He finished his biscuits and the small sandwich on his plate. “Let’s be off.”

Oriana hurriedly swallowed her biscuit and finished her tea, then rose, as did the Tauntons. Goodness. When he made a decision to do something he started right away. His energy actually infected her. “This is going to be much more exciting than I thought it would be.”

Stanwood playfully nudged her arm. “And to think you didn’t want to go.”

She wanted to pinch him but took his arm instead. “I could have been wrong.”

“You can only make decisions with the facts you have.” He grinned at her as he turned toward the door. “At the time you decided the market would be nothing special, you didn’t know what you know now.”

Too perfect. Or was he? Seemingly without effort, he’d managed to convince everyone to do what he wanted them to do and be happy about it. She would have to watch that about him.

“We are going to fetch our hats and gloves,” Mrs. Taunton said. “We will see you in the village.”

Oriana waved at them. “Until later.”

A smug feeling started to settle over Charlie. He had arranged to have more time with Oriana, and without much difficulty. Yet anything could go wrong, and usually did just when he was feeling this way. Better not to tempt fate. “The inn is on the way to the rest of the shops. Shall we stop in there first?”

A concerned look crossed Oriana’s beautiful face. “I have never been in the tavern.”

Why wouldn’t she have been? His sisters had been in the Stanwood Arms . . . with his father or another male. Hmm. The Arms was more of an inn than a tavern. “We can go in together. We won’t be long.” Her finely arched brows drew together. “I will protect you.”

Still clearly unconvinced, she slowly nodded. “As long as we are only there for a short time and you do not leave my side.”

“You have my word of honor.”

“Very well, then. What do you propose to say?”

“I will buy the first round in Stanwood.” Charlie grinned.

For what seemed like days he’d been waiting for her to roll her eyes, and she finally did. “What a typically male thing to say.”

“I’m glad you finally noticed that I am a man.” He had started to have doubts that she could see him as an eligible gentleman.

“I noticed a long time ago. What you are not, however, is typical.” She tightened her hold on his arm and started marching to the inn.

Charlie ended up buying a round at the tavern as well as promising to buy another on the morrow.

“How are we supposed to get there and back?” one of the regulars asked.

“My wagon will be here in the morning, at noon, and at five o’clock to take people to the market and back,” Oriana said. “If you miss the return ride, which will be at six, you will have to walk or spend the night.”

They went to the bakery and made the same offer. But when they entered the fabric shop Charlie took the owner aside, leaving Oriana to speak with the other women in the store. “There are going to be vendors there from Belgium and France. If you would like, I will arrange to have you taken to Stanwood earlier than the others so that you can make your purchases.”

“That’s a very kind offer, my lord, and I’ll accept. I was thinking I should go early. It wouldn’t do for me not to have at least some of the merchandise the ladies will see there. Thank you.”

“It is my pleasure.” He bowed.

“You’ve grown into a man your father would be proud of. All you need to do now is get married and have children.”

Charlie made a point of glancing at Oriana. “I’m trying.”

“She would make an excellent countess,” the shopkeeper said. “She already tries to look after people.”

“Let’s keep this to ourselves, shall we? I don’t want to scare her off.” He had to be careful of who and how many people he told. Otherwise Oriana, simply to be stubborn, would put an end to his plan to marry her. On the other hand he wanted people to notice that he was interested in her. It was like walking a tightrope and praying he didn’t fall.

“Lord Stanwood.”

He turned around to see Mrs. Taunton holding up a piece of fabric to Oriana. “Yes?”

“Do you not think this color flatters Miss Ognon?”

Any color would flatter her. No clothes at all would look even better. Suddenly he realized that there were a number of females in the shop. All watching him. He strolled over to his future betrothed and pretended to study her. Oriana’s cheeks were awash with a peachy red. The fabric was a sort of red with a blue tint. He picked up a red that had a hint of orange to it and held it up. “I think this suits her better.”

“How right you are, my lord,” one of the older ladies said. “That is a very good choice.”

“It is a perfect color for Miss Ognon.” Mrs. Taunton smiled approvingly. “How perceptive of you.”

Heat practically flowed from Oriana’s cheeks, she was blushing so deeply. “Thank you all very much for your help. I am sure either color would look lovely, but I am not ready to parade around in a red gown.”

“I am not sure that wearing a red gown to a private ball could be considered ‘parading around.’” A very private ball. The image of her in an orange-red gown with a deep neckline and a heavy gold and pearl necklace laying on his bed struck him dumb for a second. He was surprised his jaw hadn’t dropped.

She escaped from the reds and fingered a blue fabric. “Nevertheless, perhaps this dark blue would be better.”

He really had not enjoyed the discussions he’d been pulled into with his sisters debating gown colors, but he immediately knew that that blue would make her appear ill. “Not that one.” He found a Prussian blue watered silk. “This one.”

She raised one brow. “Are you telling me which color to choose?”

“Not at all.” Now he’d stepped in it. “I am merely expressing an opinion that the Prussian blue would be a better color for you.”

“I must say I agree with Lord Stanwood.” Mrs. Taunton quickly held up both color fabrics and turned Oriana to a mirror. “What do you think?”

“My dear, he is correct,” one of the Misses Carrington opined.

Oriana glanced at him, then back to the mirror. She held them both up individually and finally sighed. “I must admit you selected the better color.”

He didn’t want this to feel like a contest where there was a winner and a loser. “You can thank my sisters. I was well schooled.”

The heightened color faded and she smiled. “I will do so.”

She ordered several yards, and he insisted he carry the package as they strolled to his carriage. Charlie placed the silk into a box on the back of his vehicle. “This has turned into a busy day.”

She turned her head toward him. “It certainly has. An illuminating one as well. I never would have guessed that you were so well-versed in which colors looked the best on one.”

“I never would have supposed that the discussions my sisters forced on me would ever serve a practical purpose.”

Oriana went into a peal of laugher and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh dear. How horrible that must have been for you.”

“At least I was at school much of the time. I pity poor Phillip. He’s the youngest of us three boys and didn’t go away to school until later.”

“You have two brothers?” Her forehead wrinkled. “Where are they?”

“Walter is in the Foreign Office assigned in Spain, and Phillip is at Oxford.” Charlie was glad Walter was doing well. According to his reports.

“What will he do when he finishes?” Oriana was staring up at him, and all he wanted to do was take her in his arms.

“According to family tradition, he will enter the Home Office or run for the Commons. But the decision is his.” The boy at the inn must have been watching for them. He was finishing hitching the horses to the curricle as they strolled into the yard. “Am I correct that you had an older brother?”

“Yes. He died.” She blinked rapidly, and Charlie turned her into his arms. “I cannot imagine losing a sibling one knew. My mother lost the last baby and her life.”

“I do not know which was worse.” Tears swam in Oriana’s eyes. “Losing my mother or my brother. He was all I had left after her.”

He choked back his tears. Crying was the last thing he wanted to do. “I know the feeling. After my father died we all clung to my mother. Then she died as well. Thank God Grace had the fortitude to keep us all together.”

“I cannot imagine how she managed it,” Oriana’s voice was full of wonder.

“Me lord, are ye ready for your carriage?”

“Yes. We’re ready.” They quickly dropped their arms. Good God! How had he let that happen? Embracing her in such a public place? He must be losing his mind.

As he lifted her into the curricle, all he wanted to do was hold her longer. One by one, he forced his fingers to release her. “It must be getting late.”

“It must be.” She stared down at him as if she was really seeing him for the first time.

Charlie hurried around to the other side of the carriage and climbed in. “I’m glad we were able to spend the day together.”

He headed toward Rose Hill. They were at the edge of the village before she said, “I am too. Happy we spent the day together.”

Was she finally understanding that they could have a life together? He was afraid to ask. He pulled to a stop in front of her house, jumped out, and lifted her down. It was all he could do not to kiss her. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“I will see you too.” She smiled, then walked to the door. “Tomorrow.”